The Wildlife Without Borders-
Amphibians in Decline grant program will fund projects that
conserve the world's rapidly declining amphibian species. This
program will support activities that address threats to frogs,
toads, salamanders, newts, and caecilians that face an
unprecedented threat of extinction. Funding will be made available
for conservation of species with native ranges in countries with
the greatest need for conservation funding.
The Division of
International Conservation recently, and unexpectedly, received
funding that allows the creation of this new grant program directed
at conserving the worlds rapidly declining amphibian species.
Funding will be made available for conservation of species with
native ranges in countries with the greatest need for conservation
funding. The House Conference Report (111-316) on the Department of
the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act,
2010, provided an increase of $1,000,000 for the wildlife without
borders program. The conferees urged the Service to use a portion
of this increase to work with the international community to
conserve amphibians. Following the appropriation, the Division of
International Conservation conducted an analysis of existing and
new program priorities to determine what portion of the increase
would be allotted to addressing amphibian conservation and how best
to provide those funds to the conservation community. This process
was completed the last week of February and the preparation of a
NOFA and other materials necessary for the grants program was
initiated. We will allot $400,000 to this grant program, and we
must expend the funding this fiscal year. Emergency approval is
needed to ensure that (1) proponents have sufficient time to
develop proposals, (2) those proposals receive a proper review, and
(3) grant awards are in place by the end of fiscal year 2010. We
are requesting a waiver of the requirement to publish 60-day and
30-day notices for this information collection. We request that OMB
take action on this ICR no later than April 2, 2010. To award these
grants this fiscal year, we must publish the NOFA on Grants.gov no
later than June 1 to ensure sufficient time to receive applications
by July 15, 2010. After approval of this ICR, we will immediately
seek regular OMB approval by issuing a 60-day notice.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Form 3-2338B Amphibians in Decline Application - Cover Sheet and Narrative (govt)
1018-amphibian grant SSA.rtf
Emergency Approval Justification ltr.pdf
Amphibians in Decline - Reporting (govt)